Interstate 580 Safety Lighting and Power Supply Installation Project
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Interstate 580 Safety Lighting and Power Supply Installation Project ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA DISTRICT 4 – ALA – 580 (PM R1.3/ R6.0) EA 04-0K680/ EFIS 0416000125 Initial Study with Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration Prepared by the State of California, Department of Transportation October 2019 This page is intentionally left blank. General Information about This Document What’s in this document: The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has prepared this Initial Study (IS), which examines the potential environmental impacts of the proposed Interstate 580 Safety Lighting and Power Supply Installation Project (project) located near the City of Livermore in Alameda County, California. Caltrans is the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This document explains why the project is being proposed, the existing environment that could be affected by the project, potential impacts of each of the alternatives, and the proposed avoidance and minimization measures, and/or mitigation measures. What you should do: • Please read this document. • Additional copies of the document are available for review at the locations below, and the related technical studies are available at the Caltrans District 4 Office: Caltrans District 4 Office Livermore Public Library 111 Grand Ave 1188 South Livermore Ave Oakland, CA 94612 Livermore, CA 94550 This document can also be accessed electronically at the following website: https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-4/d4-popular-links/d4-environmental-docs • We would like to hear what you think. If you have comments regarding the proposed project, please send your written comments, including requesting that Caltrans hold a public meeting, to Caltrans by November 14, 2019. • Send comments via U.S. mail to: Sabrina Dunn, Environmental Planner California Department of Transportation, District 4 P.O. Box 23660, MS: 8B, Oakland, CA 94612 • Send comments via email to [email protected]. What happens next: After comments are received from the public and reviewing agencies, Caltrans may (1) give environmental approval to the proposed project, (2) do additional environmental studies, or (3) abandon the project. If the project is given environmental approval and funding is obtained, Caltrans could design and construct all or part of the project. Alternate formats: For individuals with sensory disabilities, this document can be made available in Braille, in large print, or digital audio. To obtain a copy in one of these alternate formats, please call or write to the California Department of Transportation, District 4, Attn: Brian Gassner, Environmental Branch Chief, P.O. Box 23660, Oakland, CA 94623-0660; (510) 286-6025 (Voice), or use the California Relay Service 1 (800) 735-2929 (TTY), 1 (800) 735-2929 (Voice) or 711. ____________________________________________________________________________ Initial Study with Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration Interstate 580 Safety Lighting and Power Supply Installation Project i This page is intentionally left blank. ____________________________________________________________________________ Initial Study with Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration Interstate 580 Safety Lighting and Power Supply Installation Project ii This page is intentionally left blank ____________________________________________________________________________ Initial Study with Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration Interstate 580 Safety Lighting and Power Supply Installation Project iv Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration Pursuant to: Division 13, Public Resources Code Project Description The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) proposes to construct the Interstate 580 (I-580) Safety Lighting and Power Supply Installation Project to improve existing roadway conditions and enhance traffic safety on the Altamont Pass. This will be accomplished by installing lighting along eastbound I-580 from West Grant Line Road Undercrossing to North Flynn Road Overcrossing near the City of Livermore in Alameda County (Postmile [PM] R1.3 to PM R6.0). The project will also install new power poles and electrical vaults on the southern side of the same expanse of I-580 to provide power for the lighting. Determination This proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) is included to give notice to interested agencies and the public that it is Caltrans’ intent to adopt an MND for this project. This does not mean that Caltrans’ decision regarding the project is final. This MND is subject to change based on comments received by interested agencies and the public. Caltrans has prepared an Initial Study (IS) for this project, and pending public review, expects to determine from this study that the proposed project would not have a significant effect on the environment for the following reasons: The proposed project would have no effect on agricultural lands and forest resources, air quality, cultural resources, geology and soils, hazards and hazardous materials, hydrology/water quality, land use and planning, mineral resources, noise, population and housing, public services, recreation, transportation and traffic, tribal cultural resources, and utilities and service systems. With standard conservation measures, avoidance and minimization measures, and mitigation measures, the proposed project would have less than significant effects to aesthetics and less than significant impacts to biological resources, specifically the California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense; CTS) and California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii; CRLF). Melanie Brent Date Deputy District Director Office of Environmental Analysis California Department of Transportation District 4 ____________________________________________________________________________ Initial Study with Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration Interstate 580 Safety Lighting and Power Supply Installation Project v This page is intentionally left blank ____________________________________________________________________________ Initial Study with Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration Interstate 580 Safety Lighting and Power Supply Installation Project vi Table of Contents Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration v CHAPTER 1 Proposed Project 1 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Background 2 1.3 Purpose and Need 2 1.4 Project Description 3 1.5 Project Features 4 1.6 Permits and Approvals Needed 5 CHAPTER 2 Affected Environment; Environmental Consequences; and AMMs and/or Mitigation Measures 6 2.1 CEQA Environmental Checklist 6 2.1.1 Aesthetics 7 2.1.2 Agriculture and Forest Resources 10 2.1.3 Air Quality 12 2.1.4 Biological Resources 14 2.1.5 Cultural Resources Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.1.6 Geology and Soils 29 2.1.7 Greenhouse Gas Emissions 30 2.1.8 Hazards and Hazardous Materials 43 2.1.9 Hydrology and Water Quality 45 2.1.10 Land Use and Planning 48 2.1.11 Mineral Resources 49 2.1.12 Noise 50 2.1.13 Population and Housing 52 2.1.14 Public Services 53 2.1.15 Recreation 54 2.1.16 Transportation and Traffic 55 2.1.17 Tribal Cultural Resources 57 2.1.18 Utilities and Service Systems 58 2.1.19 Mandatory Findings of Significance 60 CHAPTER 3 Comments and Coordination 61 CHAPTER 4 List of Preparers 62 CHAPTER 5 Distribution List 64 List of Figures Figure 1. Project Vicinity Map .......................................................................................... 1 Figure 2. Biological Study Area ..................................................................................... 16 Figure 3. California 2017 Greenhouse Gas Emissions.................................................. 33 Figure 4. Change in California GDP, Population and GHG Emissions since 2000 ....... 34 Figure 5. California Climate Strategy............................................................................. 37 ____________________________________________________________________________ Initial Study with Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration Interstate 580 Safety Lighting and Power Supply Installation Project vii List of Tables Table 1. Temporary and Permanent Impacts within the BSA to Suitable Habitat for Listed Species ................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 2. Summary of Construction-related GHG Emission Estimates........................... 36 List of Appendices Appendix A. Title VI Policy Statement Appendix B. Avoidance and Minimization Measures and/or Mitigation Measures Appendix C. List of Acronyms and Abbreviations Appendix D. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Species List, October 1, 2019 Appendix E. List of Technical Studies ____________________________________________________________________________ Initial Study with Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration Interstate 580 Safety Lighting and Power Supply Installation Project viii CHAPTER 1 Proposed Project Introduction The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Caltrans proposes to improve existing roadway conditions and enhance traffic safety by installing lighting along eastbound (EB) I-580 from West Grant Line Road Undercrossing to North Flynn Road Overcrossing near the City of Livermore in Alameda County (PM R1.3 to PM R6.0). The total length of the project is 4.7 miles. The Project Vicinity Map is shown below in Figure 1. Figure 1. Project Vicinity Map ____________________________________________________________________________ Initial Study with Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration Interstate 580 Safety Lighting and Power